OUR MANIFESTO
Who the hell are ForgeMaster Records?
Remember when a release on Factory or Postcard or Two Tone actually meant something, as you knew that release had been curated, nurtured and delivered with you in mind? Well so do we.
ForgeMaster Records was created out of a desire to bring the magic of the "auture record label' back to the music business. And generally to cosplay as a new Factory Records, apart from the "losing millions of pounds on stupid business decisions" bit.
Our Manifesto
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The music is the most important thing. But the product is a close second. Each release should feel like a product that you would want to own. It is in itself, a work of art.
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The artist owns their work. The record label does not own the artist. We work on an ad-hoc basis releasing music on a continuing one-off basis. If the act finds a major label wanting to fund them then they are free to move on.
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Vinyl is the go to choice for our music. We like it. It's tactile and has the best sound. We may dabble in other formats but vinyl is our weapon of choice.
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Music should be dangerous and challenging and most of all exciting.
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This is a self funded vanity project so if it becomes a financial burden then we will jack it in and look back on a rollercoaster ride.
How does it work for the artists?
Every release is a collaboration between artist and label to craft the perfect object.
Artists provide:
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Track(s) fully mastered and in a releasable state
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Promotional materials to support the release including hi-res images and bio of the artist, along with band logo and any other visuals required
Label takes care of:
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Design, pressing and production of the record
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Sales and distribution
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Marketing (although you'll want to push it through your own socials too)
Once all production and associated marketing costs are recouped from sales, any profit split 50/50 between artist(s) and label. We're not going to get rich doing this but it's gonna be fun!
What sort of music are you planning on releasing?
We are coming at this on the back of years of record buying and music consumption. We have pretty eclectic tastes but a good business adage is to just do what you know, so we'd probably look to release the type of thing that makes up the bulk of our record collections: indie pop and synth pop. That's not to say we won't consider other genres, but that is where our hearts lie. Feel free to come at us with your grime or your jazz or your classical tracks and convince us that you can find a niche at ForgeMaster Records.
But generally if your influences number any of the following then we are probably going to want to hear from you:
New Order • Pulp • 808 State • Orange Juice • The Style Council • Arctic Monkeys • Public Enemy • Pet Shop Boys • The Smiths • Happy Mondays • ABC • The Pogues • Blondie • Art of Noise • The Specials • James Brown • The Clash • Dusty Springfield • Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine • The Sisters of Mercy • The KLF • The Beatles • Slade • Cabaret Voltaire • The Stone Roses • Siouxsie and The Banshees • The White Stripes • S'Xpress • The Velvet Underground • LFO • Inspiral Carpets • Human League...
Vinyl is expensive though?
Unfortunately yes, vinyl has become comparatively expensive in recent years as demand has begun to outstrip capacity at all the pressing plants and various other external forces have driven up the cost of pressing a record. Gone are the days when you could press a thousand 7" singles for 20p each. Hopefully the growth in the vinyl market will mean that prices will decline as more capacity comes online but until then we aim to keep prices as low as we can but remember, we need to recoup costs and make a bit extra to give the artists.
On the flip side though you are buying a product, something to cherish and that will feel like a tactile piece of art in your hands. And lets face it - vinyl is cool and we all like being cool right?